Eric Metaxas is quoted in this piece at the Atlantic, which deals with the issues at the very heart of the same-sex marriage debate.

Comments:

@ Ellen M

"But when one's basis for behavior isn't actually Biblically based, but is based on the court of public opinion.... then even someone staunchly conservative and traditional can be swayed when pressured long enough and persistently enough."

You are so right. We tend to minimize the effect that the 24/7 brainwashing and bullying by our culture can have on people!

I wish you all the best with your sister and family. Continue to stand strong.

Posted By: Mo on November 15, 2012 11:23 PM

Mo,

Perhaps I can offer a bit of encouragement. My pastor speaks out against same-sex "marriage," and he speaks for the sanctity of life as well as Biblical marriage. I hope and pray that there must be more like him!

I also have a sister who thinks she is married with her "wife." I've had calm discussions with her about our different beliefs on this matter and refused to go to her "wedding." She, unfortunately, has turned away from her former belief in the Bible as the authority on Truth. I've held firm within my family of origin on this point without belaboring the point or badgering them about it. I think they were all surprised that I wasn't mean and nasty, but rather still loving and accepting of them.

I agree with you that it's a shocker when standing for Biblical Truth makes people think your motives are mean-spirited and they begin speculating amongst themselves about you. I experienced this behavior from close family members some of whom profess Christian faith and who have leadership which denounces same-sex marriage. But when one's basis for behavior isn't actually Biblically based, but is based on the court of public opinion.... then even someone staunchly conservative and traditional can be swayed when pressured long enough and persistently enough. *sigh*

Darn... I meant to be encouraging. Well, in spite of some powerful ammunition to sway me from Truth and Right Behavior, I'm still standing firm on the Truth of God's Word. I hope that's encouraging to you. :)

Posted By: Ellen M on November 15, 2012 12:32 AM

I've said several times that same-sex marriage will be the defining issue of our time.

Sadly, what I am seeing is that even most Christians have given up/given in when it comes to this issue. Perhaps personally they still disagree with SSM, but they are too afraid of being called names by the culture and of losing friends that they will not stand up against it.

Many others have bought the lie that science has determined that people are "born that way". (No such evidence exists, of course. Even if it did, it proves and changes nothing in the debate.)

The world has done its job with their propaganda and nonstop brainwashing. They have cast the debate as a battle between those who want freedom and "equal rights" and those who wish to deny people that freedom and those rights. Who can argue with that?

The key, of course, is reframing the debate as a matter of religious liberty. (Among other things.) I am glad to see Eric Metaxas is someone who understands this!

But he's one person. Unfortunately, this information is simply not being taught in churches. Even in churches that technically, officially still stand with the Bible regarding homosexuality, pastors are too afraid to speak about it boldly. And even in those churches where it's at least touched upon, they will not speak out against same-sex marriage because they feel that issue is "political" and they have bought into the equally silly notion that politics are not to be brought up in church, ever.

This is nonsense. Of course a church service shouldn't be turned into a political rally. But politics is not an entity of itself. Politics has to do with moral issues! If we cannot talk about moral issues in church... where else are we going to talk about them?

***

I knew it would be increasingly difficult to stand for biblical truth in our culture, among non-Christians. My error was not realizing it would be sometimes even harder to do so among my fellow Christians.